All posts tagged: Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota

A Peek into the People of Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota: A Photo Essay

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This year, the Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota (LACM) celebrates their 30th anniversary. Since 1983, LACM has been helping Minnesota’s Lao community with various services such as housing, health awareness, youth advancement, elder empowerment, and cultural engagement. Their mission is “to enhance the quality of life of Minnesota Lao families”. The Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota is located within the Harrison Neighborhood Recreation Center in North Minneapolis. This short photo essay was shot over the course of a few days at LACM. It is a small glance into what LACM does and the faces that work the machine. In all, LACM is made up of multiple full-time staffers, several part-time consultants, and three interns. They work to better the lives of the Lao community in Minnesota. Sunny chats with a Minnesota State representative at a Minneapolis mayoral candidate forum. First off is Sunny Chanthanouvong, the center’s executive director.  Sunny recently received the Virginia McKnight Binger Human Services Award from the McKnight Foundation. I have found that his enthusiastic greeting, “Hiiiiiii!!” to be his most iconic phrase. …

Save the Dates: Lao New Year Events in Minnesota

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Buddhist monks shuffling in. Baskets of candy offerings for the kids to devour. Fancy Lao classics to lum vong to.  It’s that time of year again, when the Lao Theravada Buddhists ring in the New Year. While celebrations vary from state to state and country to country, it’s generally April 13-15. For our Minnesota folks, here’s the line up for Lao New Year events. Make sure to check out the main community-wide event on Saturday, April 13th with a full thak baht, nang sangkhan and lum vong. Next Saturday on March 30th, attend the University of Minnesota Lao Student Association’s Lao New Year event with free admission and free food. Both events are always looking for volunteers with open arms. If interested, contact Sunny at sunny@laocenter.org for the community event and Alex Phasy at phasy001@umn.edu for the student event. Minnesota Lao New Year 2013 Here’s the flyer to share: LNY Minnesota Poster SEE YOU THERE! Got a Lao New Year event to share? Email them over to: littlelaosontheprairie@gmail.com.